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Philadelphia 76ers: Is Joel Embiid’s Injury Blessing In Disguise?

By Mike Pendleton

Feb 20, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) during warm ups prior to the game against the Indiana Pacers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 20, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid (21) during warm ups prior to the game against the Indiana Pacers at Wells Fargo Center. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /
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When news broke last week that Philadelphia 76ers center Joel Embiid would “likely” miss the entire 2015 season due to a second foot surgery, many believed that this would just be another disappointing season for the team.

However, as with almost everything in life, there is a silver lining and for the Philadelphia 76ers, being without Joel Embiid for a second straight year might not be the worst thing ever.

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At just 21 years old, Embiid is still growing into his body and while the issues he’s dealing with is never good for a big man, it seems much better to have it taken care of now.

While the recovery process is the big thing for Embiid and his stress fracture, if he is able to heal and recover correctly during this upcoming season, he’d be looking at making his NBA debut at 22 years old during the 2016 season.

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A healthy 22-year-old Joel Embiid still keeps the future bright for the team and himself moving forward, it’s the waiting and anticipation that many can’t deal with.

For the Sixers and their fans, we’ve heard all the whispers that Embiid is the best player on this team when healthy and when he steps on the court, he’ll be ready to go and perform at a high level.

Many fans were upset when the Lakers drafted D’Angelo Russell with the second pick in this year’s draft which led to Philly taking Jahlil Okafor out of Duke, and that may have been the best thing to happen for the franchise both currently and in the future.

When Embiid returns to the court (hopefully 2016), if he is at full strength, there will be a logjam of big men between Okafor, Nerlens Noel, and Embiid, which means someone will have to get moved. The team’s best pairing of the three is likely Embiid with Okafor and as that goes, Nerlens Noel could be trade bait.

We saw Sam Hinkie trade Michael-Carter Williams at last year’s NBA trade deadline, and it would not be surprising to see him do the same with Noel this year.

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    • Depending on where the team is record wise when the deadline approaches, moving Noel could make for another top lottery pick for the team, but could also net back a return the team is desperately looking for, like a reliable point guard.

    Hinkie will have all of 2015 to maneuver and work the best situations that will make the Sixers ready to be a possible playoff team in 2016. If Okafor and Embiid are playing well in 2016, Dario Saric comes over that season, and a point guard is found either in a trade with Noel or through the draft, the Sixers could turn it around quicker than most thought.

    Joel Embiid’s injury hasn’t made anyone happy in 2015, but with another season to recover and get it right at such a young age, it’s the best move for his long-term NBA future. As for the organization in 2015, they have a year to just evaluate and hope their talent becomes marketable.

    Jahlil Okafor must cement himself as the future (hopefully alongside Embiid), while Nerlens Noel can showcase himself as a valuable trade asset to get the point guard the Sixers desperately need.

    The immediate future for both sides may not be the brightest, but looking forward beyond this upcoming season, and Embiid’s injury could be the best thing to happen to the Sixers franchise as they continue to rebuild.

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